Holly Lammert

Philosophy of teaching
Excellent teaching fosters a love of learning in students, cognitive persistence in difficult
challenges and develops in students a knowledge and understanding of the natural world and
our society. Science education elicits problem solving and a systematic method of thinking
about the world that allows students to experiment, and think critically, yet creatively about
science concepts and science literacy. The art of science education is to hone critical thinking in
students, while simultaneously inspiring a sense of amazement and awe about the world we live
in.
People learn according to constructivism, a theory of learning that supports that people
learn best by being able to test their ideas against the laws of nature and form supported
conclusions based on that evidence. Inquiry in science allows students to generate their own
conclusions based on evidence that they have collected about the natural world. For a student,
this means that they feel comfortable taking ownership over acquiring new knowledge. For this
to take place, a student must feel safe and accepted. Students must feel like they can take a
risk that is not scary or uncomfortable, regardless of the outcome (success or failure). Student
that have a growth mindset are able to approach challenges and persevere in spite of difficulty.
It is this mindset that is so delicate and unstable in many students. Teachers, first and foremost,
need to develop a classroom that allows students to embrace challenges and find joy in the
journey of developing explanations and understanding. This can be created by honoring both
failures and successes, and by emphasizing the unique benefits of failure. In addition, it is
critical to not approach students with a deficit model of thinking, but rather appreciate and
demonstrate that students come to class with valued ideas and understanding that has been
gained by observation and experience. Teachers must show appreciation and respect for their
ideas.
Intelligence, naturally, is malleable, and a teacher's role is to allow students with
experiences that allow them to grow their intelligence. From a neurological perspective, learning
is essentially a process where students develop new neural pathways that are reinforced with
practice. Teachers must provide students with supported practice of concepts in order to create
meaningful and impactful learning. A student demonstrates knowledge by applying learned
concepts and skills in a particular time and place in the form of assessments.
A teacher is the most important mechanic and engineer of joyful learning and intellectual
and emotional development. They provide the interface with which students are exposed to a
concept. Students should feel respected and appreciated in a classroom, not devalued or
criminal. Clear expectations and a system of consequences and rewards allows students to take
control and self-regulate within a classroom environment. Much of our educational system does
not allow for individualization for diverse learners, and it is the teachers responsibility to
creatively design a system that supports success for all students.